Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy: November 4th - 9th, 2023

The Thessaloniki IFF, in collaboration with the Locarno Film Festival, launched the Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy in Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean region in 2016. The eighth edition is taking place physically (November 4-9, 2023) in the context of the 64th TIFF Agora. The Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy is a tailor-made training program created to help young professionals in the cinema industry, i.e. sales agents, distributors and new media professionals, to expand their experience and networking in the fields of international sales, marketing, distribution and programming. Each year up to 8 young film professionals will participate in the Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy. In this five-day program, top film professionals will offer their expertise to the 8 participants through discussions, case study presentations and teamwork.

The Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy is part of the Locarno Industry Academy network, which includes the Latin America Locarno Industry Academies: Mexico Industry Academy, São Paulo Industry Academy, Colombia Industry Academy, Santiago Industry Academy, and the Beirut-Locarno Industry Academy, Southern Africa Industry Academy, South Asia Industry Academy, NYC Industry Academy.

The official working language of the Industry Academy is English.

A. What does the Industry Academy offer to its participants?

• Daily sessions with high-profile and experienced professionals and experts including sales agents, distributors, exhibitors, heads of marketing departments, festival programmers and producers.
• Case study presentations and informal discussions during which participants can directly interact and exchange opinions/visions with their colleagues and guest speakers.
• Group sessions to encourage team work on a specific project.
• Access to a number of professional events, particularly in the context of the industry event Agora (November 3 - 11), to gain a better overview of market activities and an understanding of the challenges faced by European and international key players in the film industry.
• Access to festival screenings as well as industry work-in-progress screenings.
• Unique opportunities to broaden their range of professional contacts thanks to specific networking activities with Agora industry attendees.

B. Enrolment in the Industry Academy:

The Industry Academy in Thessaloniki is open to international participants.
Those enrolled must attend the full 5-day program that runs between November 4 and 9, 2023.

C. Applications are open for young professionals who:

• Can demonstrate at least one example of significant experience in the field of distribution, exhibition, sales, marketing, festival programming. They might have been recently hired by a company, or may currently be working on an internship within one of the fields described above.
• Are truly passionate about cinema as well as other art forms.
• Are excellent at working in a team, looking on each and every encounter with colleagues as a new opportunity in both human and professional terms.
• Expect to develop their own career through meeting established professionals in European and world cinema industries.
• Are ready to have a proactive role in group sessions, with pertinent, stimulating and provocative questions and contributions.
• Wish to expand their network of contacts with like-minded people that may share similar or different approaches towards working in the film industry.
• Have a good working knowledge of English

* Please note that priority will be given to participants under 35 years old (born after 1988).

D. The Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy offers to attendees, free of charge:

• Accommodation and breakfast for 5 nights in a Hostel / Hotel
• Agora Accreditation entitling participants to attend all Festival screenings and industry activities.
• Official Festival and Agora materials
• Invitations to the Closing Industry party and drink vouchers
• One welcome dinner and three industry lunches

E. Key Dates:

• Open Call: July 2023
• Notification Date (by email): September 2023
• Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy: November 4-9, 2023

F. Application Materials:

• Online Application Form
• Cover Letter (max 2 pages)
• CV
• Photograph of the candidate

> TIFF64 Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy Application - Αpplications are now closed.
Submission Deadline: August 11th, 2023

For inquiries please contact: Konstantinos Aivaliotis, Regional Manager - Thessaloniki Locarno Industry Academy, Locarno Film Festival, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.